Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasures

Safety and Assurances maintains an inventory of aboveground storage tanks (ASTs), underground storage tanks (USTs), and other drum storage at UWM. A spill plan is required because UWM meets the criteria outlined in the Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulation. A review and evaluation of the Spill Plan is required at least once every five years. The goal of the SPCC regulations is to prevent the discharge of oil into navigable waterways by implementing release prevention measures and to formulate action plans for oil spill response in compliance with 40 CFR 112.5.

UWM Spill Prevention Plan FAQ

How is oil defined in this plan?

The SPCC program addresses all oil products at UWM, including diesel fuel, used oil, vegetable oil, lubricants and solvents.

What does the plan cover?
  • Areas where there is a potential for an oil release
  • Identified receptors (areas to protect such as floor drains, storm drains, etc.)
  • Spill controls in place
  • Countermeasures to be used to react to releases
What do we have to do?
  • Document and report spills, and corrective actions
  • Conduct inspections and document them
  • Maintain security and have spill response kits available
  • Train personnel
  • Keep all records
Who has to be trained?
  • University Police and Security Officers
  • Environmental Protection Staff
  • Elevator Constructors
  • Designated Food Service Employees at Student Union and Residence Halls
  • PPS Maintenance Mechanics
  • Auxiliary Services Maintenance Mechanics
  • Building Chairs for Lapham, EMS, Chemistry, University Services Building,
  • Student Union, Sandburg Residence Halls, WATER Institute and the UWM
  • Field Station
What training is needed?
  • How to do formal inspections of tanks and containers for equipment integrity
  • How to report spills
What’s included in this plan?
  • Aboveground oil storage in containers with volumes of 55-gallons or greater. This includes:
    • Outdoor diesel fuel above-ground storage tanks
    • Emergency generator tanks
    • Used cooking oil above-ground collection tanks
    • 55-gallon drums
  • Underground grease traps in-line with the sanitary sewer
    • Associated with food service operations
  • Elevator Reservoirs
    • Elevator reservoirs >/=55 gallons, used to store hydraulic oil
    • These reservoirs are inspected and maintained by an elevator contractor
  • Transformers
    • Oil-filled transformers >/=55 gallons
    • Campus personnel inspect the transformers regularly under a maintenance plan
Why aren’t the underground storage tanks, underground piping and ancillary equipment included in the plan?

They fall under a different environmental regulation (40 CFR 280). They have been designed to provide overfill protection and spill containment.

SPCC Training Materials

Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures training and exam.

SPCC Forms

Additional Resources